Ruling On Riding An Elephant In A Country That Is Customarily Known For It – Shaykh Abdur-Raqeeb Al-Kawkabaani And Shaykh Saleem Al-Hilaalee

Ash-Shaykh Abdur-Raqeeb al-Kawkabaani, hafidaho-Allah, was asked the following question,

رجل يسأل ما حكم ركوب الفيل في بلد يعتاد ذلك؟

Question:

“A man is asking what is the ruling on riding an elephant in a country that is customarily known for it [, so what is the ruling on this]?”

لا أرى في ذلك مانعاً وبالله المستعان

Answer:

“I don’t see any prevention for that, and Allah’s aid is sought.”

Ash-Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee, hafidaho-Allah, also mentioned that it is permissible.

Note: It comes in some of the books that are ascribed to the Salaf for dream interpretation that riding an elephant in a dream is a sign of oppression. However, there is nothing to prove that this action is wrong or abusive to the elephant. Dameeri mentioned in his book Hayaatul Hayawaan a couple of narratives showing that the people of the past would ride elephants. Allah knows best.